SoulCycle is challenging, but the class environment is welcoming, accepting, and fun.

Long story short, the first time I tried SoulCycle I was about 80 pounds heavier and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I loved how welcoming the environment was and that nobody made me feel self-conscious, but as soon as class began, I felt like I was in over my head. To put it mildly, I threw away my shirt after class because it was so drenched in sweat.

But eventually, after a year, I came back. And now, I'm obsessed.

The problem when I first went to a class was that I expected it to be easy. This was obviously incorrect. I went in hoping that I'd be an expert, only to realize that a good workout class doesn't mean being skilled or the best from day one. In fact, I think I've learned from each of these classes that it usually means the opposite.

SoulCycle incorporates traditional cycling and spinning with more dance-based principles for a full-body, 45-minute workout that burns up to 700 calories. The studios, which operate in several locations across the United States, focus on strength and empowerment as opposed to certain numbers or goals.

I loved that I could listen to fun, up-to-date music while an instructor encouraged and motivated me as opposed to barked at me. One of my biggest fears when going into a workout class is that I'll be laughed at or embarrassed, but SoulCycle's environment is welcoming, open, and positive. It's as much a party as it is a workout.

There's just one big con: the price. On a limited budget, SoulCycle can't be a staple in a daily routine — even making it part of a weekly routine is tough for many people. Though the first class is discounted, they generally run on the pricier side. It's $35 for a single class, and packages are available for slightly discounted (but still expensive) rates.

TrampoLEAN is a good low-impact workout that focuses on balance, coordination, and technique.

Frankly, the idea of a trampoline-based workout class confused me at first. How? Why? What for? Initially, it doesn't sound like anything but a clumsy person's nightmare, but in reality, it's actually a pretty fun time.

Because of a trampoline class' benefits— which include improved balance and coordination — as well as its status as a unique, low-impact cardio workout, this bouncy workout has been popping up everywhere. Margot Robbie and Victoria's Secret model Victoria Lee both swear by their trampolines to get in shape. I needed to see if a class lived up to the hype.

Again, I wasn't exactly an expert as soon as I stepped onto the trampoline. I felt wobbly, shaky, and unsure. But I did notice that I wasn't the only one, which was reassuring. Once I got the hang of balancing while doing low impact "jumps," which are essentially squats, I felt much steadier.

The workout wasn't easy, but it remained fun, and again, I was happy with how pleasant the instruction was. It focused on encouragement and empowerment, not pushing or shaming. I also felt like I learned a lot about balance, coordination, and proper technique. By the end, I was happy to have done it and walked away feeling accomplished, considering I hadn't fallen more than a few times.

In terms of cons, price is one. ClassPass users can get this for a slightly cheaper rate, and there are discounts for first-timers, but it's around $30 per class, which is more than my budget can handle on a daily or weekly basis.

There's also the issue of location. This particular class is only in New York City, so it's not accessible to everyone, which is a bummer.

The good thing, though, is that if you attend one class or check out a helpful YouTube video, I could see how you could incorporate some of the principles from the class into your own routine. You don't necessarily need to own a trampoline to do some of the moves at home or at the gym.

Ratchet Fitness is intimidating at first, but it's really more about sweating than mastering complicated dance moves.

Banana Skirt Productions, which has locations in New York City and Washington D.C., owns and operates a class that it calls Ratchet Fitness. Basically, these dance classes are high-intensity and hip hop cardio-based, all involving different types of modern music, from dancehall to Beyonce's biggest hits.

According to Women's Health, dance workouts can make you feel happier as you exercise, which is ironic, because as a person who considers themselves a mediocre dancer, I wouldn't exactly assume I'd be anything but nervous during a dance class.

Entering a Ratchet Fitness class is intimidating. Everyone is cool, well-dressed, and many of them are experienced dancers. They can do actual moves, like jumping into a split or twerking, without fear. As scary as it sounds, though, the atmosphere is about having fun, letting loose, and sweating more than it's about skill level and all of the technicalities.

I'm not exactly one of Beyonce's backup dancers, but I do have some solid twerking skills, and once I decided that I could just be carefree, I had so much fun at Ratchet Fitness. It's all about getting everyone together as a group and fostering a positive atmosphere, which is really comforting for an inexperienced dancer.

Out of all the classes I did, this may have been the hardest. Don't write this off as being anything close to a trip to the dancefloor of your favorite club. It's way more challenging, and by the end, my abs, my glutes, and just about every other part of my body all felt sore in the best way possible.

This class is available on ClassPass, but if you book through Banana Skirt Productions, it's not cheap. Like the others, it runs about $30 per class depending on which package you choose.

It's also not available everywhere. That said, of the three workouts I loved, this one would be the easiest do at any location with the help of a YouTube video or a dance tutorial.

In the end, these workout classes taught me that you have to switch it up and have fun. It's pointless to do the same thing over and over, and it's also boring. Instead, if you can, splurge — because classes like these aren't cheap — and try some new stuff. You can always find something you enjoy and then incorporate it into your routine. Chances are, trips to the gym will be a little less painful that way.

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